Free Web NovelChapter 397: Chapter 397: Impeachment
A faint smile touched Shen Yanchuan’s lips.
"You said it yourself. The hunting ground is crowded, with prying eyes everywhere. If anything were to happen, it would inevitably cause a huge scene."
Yun Cheng instantly understood. "You mean... their real goal wasn’t to take the Third Prince’s life, but to—"
’To make sure everyone saw it and knew about it!’
Shen Yanchuan glanced out the window. "Tonight, I imagine some people won’t be getting any sleep."
The Third Prince was attacked. Who else but the Second Prince had the most motive to do such a thing?
Yun Cheng frowned slightly. "But the Second Prince was only just released from his confinement. Even if he wanted to do something, why would he choose this moment? Isn’t he just digging his own grave—"
His voice trailed off as he had a sudden realization.
"Someone is trying to kill two birds with one stone!?"
The Third Prince was injured, and the Second Prince wouldn’t fare any better. Once His Majesty grew suspicious of him, his days would surely become very difficult.
Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow.
"I, for one, am quite curious to know who could orchestrate such a grand scheme."
...
"Perhaps."
Ye Chutang thought back for a moment.
"Their skills did look quite similar."
Ye Jingyan’s heart leaped into his throat.
"Really?"
Ye Chutang nodded. "Yes. Both were quite flashy and all for show."
Ye Jingyan was speechless.
’I knew it. I’m never going to hear anything good about those people from my sister.’
But seeing his sister’s relaxed and nonchalant expression, he felt a little more at ease.
’Since she’s putting it that way, it must mean she doesn’t see them as a threat.’
A few years ago, on their way south, they had encountered a few Southern Hu Blade Men. At the time, those men seemed to be on a mission, but seeing that the siblings were easy targets, they got the idea to rob their carriage.
His sister had rarely gotten so angry.
It was pouring rain at the time, and without the carriage, they would have had no shelter.
To make matters worse, Xiao Wu was sick, her little face flushed red as she coughed nonstop.
Those men had been foolish enough to try and rob them, and in the end, they died by their own blades.
He and A Feng had collected the Silver Taels from their bodies, which sustained them all the way to Jiangling.
As for the corpses...
Ye Jingyan suddenly felt a bit of pity for the Southern Hu Blade Men who had been captured this time. After all, being brought back alive meant that only an interrogation worse than death awaited them.
’They would have been better off dying a quick death like those other men.’
Ye Chutang waved her hand. "Don’t worry, their master won’t connect them to us."
’That’s true.’
Besides the few of them, no one knew that his sister had a hand in dealing with those swordsmen.
That incident had happened years ago, hundreds of miles from the Capital City. The person behind it would never have guessed that Ye Chutang was connected to both events.
"Speaking of which, the person behind them is truly audacious."
Ye Chutang nodded in agreement. To cause a scene directly at the Royal Hunting Ground—wasn’t that tantamount to slapping Emperor Muwu right across the face?
"And rich."
It was well known that the cost of training a single swordsman was enormous.
Yet their opponent had sent so many this time, and just for a test. They truly must have deep pockets.
Ye Chutang suddenly felt a wave of melancholy.
’Starting a legitimate business from scratch really is hard-earned money.’
It was nothing compared to those with vast fortunes who spent money like water.
Ye Jingyan was speechless.
After a long silence, he said quietly, "It’s a good thing Xiao Wu didn’t go into the forest with us."
If she had been there, she probably would have gone up to pick up—no, to search for "evidence."
Ye Chutang deeply agreed.
"Speaking of which, she really needs to change that habit of hers. It’s not right to always be thinking about picking up other people’s silver notes. One has to be more down-to-earth."
She had recently started showing Xiao Wu the account books from a few of the shops, and Xiao Wu had actually managed to find several errors.
Once Xiao Wu was a little older, she could hand over all these tedious accounts to her.
At that thought, Ye Chutang’s mood improved considerably.
She suddenly remembered something. "By the way, has Ye Shixian’s case been closed?"
Ye Jingyan’s expression turned serious. "If I remember correctly, the verdict should be delivered the day after tomorrow."
Ye Chutang nodded, then looked up at the bright moon hanging in the sky.
"I wonder what our Second Uncle would think if he knew."
...
News of Xu Jie’s overnight return to the Capital City spread quickly.
During the morning court session, all the officials looked on with curiosity at the figure kneeling in the middle of the hall.
Due to the severe disaster in Sui Nan and the burning of the granary, which had led to even more casualties among the displaced, Xu Jie was pleading guilty and asking for punishment.
"This subject failed in his supervisory duties and made a grave error. I implore Your Majesty to punish me!"
Seated on the dragon throne, Emperor Muwu’s face was grim.
He was already in a foul mood because of the incident at the autumn hunt. But he had just returned to the palace, only to be woken mid-slumber by Xu Jie, who had rushed to the palace in the middle of the night. How could he possibly be in a good mood now?
Seeing that the Emperor remained silent, Jiang Zhao Yuan, who stood at the very front, stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, Lord Xu is indeed at fault, but the situation in Sui Nan is currently critical, and we are in dire need of capable hands. This subject believes we should first allow Lord Xu to atone for his crime with meritorious service. It will not be too late to discuss his punishment after the disaster has passed and the people have been appeased."
He was the Chief Cabinet Minister, so his stance at this moment was naturally crucial.
As soon as he finished speaking, many other officials stepped forward to voice their agreement.
"Indeed, Your Majesty! During his tenure in Sui Nan, Lord Xu has been diligent and dedicated. If we were to rashly replace him now, I fear no one else could do a better job."
"Merits and demerits cannot cancel each other out, but if anyone other than Lord Xu were sent to Sui Nan, they would be unfamiliar with the situation, and things might get even worse."
"We implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"
Xiao Chengxuan glanced at Xu Jie, a dark, hidden smile crossing his features.
For Xu Jie to rise to the rank of a regional governor in such a short time, he certainly had some skill.
Anyone else, faced with such a mess, would have probably just given up. Yet Xu Jie had chosen to return to the Capital City.
Being punished was not the main concern. The important thing was to admit his mistake!
As long as he found another opportunity to resolve that pile of problems, none of it would be an issue.
The remaining officials cautiously exchanged glances.
The Chief Cabinet Minister himself had spoken. What room was there for them to object?
Just as expected, Emperor Muwu stared down at the court for a long while before finally speaking.
"I assigned you to Sui Nan. To see it in such a state has truly disappointed me."
Xu Jie bowed his head even lower.
"However, what Mr. Jiang said also has a point," Emperor Muwu said in a heavy tone. "The disaster is urgent. I order you to return to Sui Nan immediately. I will also allocate more disaster relief funds and grain. You must resolve the refugee crisis as quickly as possible! Furthermore, I am dispatching men to thoroughly investigate the granary fire in Sui Nan and the breach of the Li River levee! Anyone found to be involved will not be spared!"
A jolt of joy went through Xu Jie’s heart.
’His Majesty means to let me off the hook and give me another chance!’
He slammed his forehead to the ground with a loud THUD. "This subject accepts the command! I will not fail Your Majesty’s trust!"
Emperor Muwu scanned the great hall. "Does anyone else have a matter to report?"
The ministers were silent for a moment, then a figure suddenly stepped out from the ranks.
"This subject has a matter to report!"
Xiao Chengxuan looked back and saw that the speaker was none other than Xu Fengchi.
’The Imperial Supervision Office hasn’t seemed very busy lately. What is he up to?’
Xu Fengchi took a step forward, his gaze resolute, his low and powerful voice echoing clearly through the hall:
"This subject wishes to impeach the Minister of Revenue and Governor of Suinan, Xu Jie! I charge him with the crimes of falsifying military reports, squandering a strategic opportunity, causing the death of General Huo Yucheng, and leading to the annihilation of eighty thousand soldiers!"
